March 4, 2018
Evening Service

In the first part of this chapter we were exposed to the infinite wisdom of Jesus.  We also were exposed to the compassion and forgiveness of our Lord.  He has come to save us, not to condemn us.  At times we can take the forgiveness of our sins for granted.  It is gift that we neither could earn nor ever deserve.  Though we stand before Him guilty, He tells us; “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”  We are hopeless without Jesus, but with Him as our Savior we are “a new creation; old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.”  As we pick this back up, Jesus is still at the Feast of Tabernacles and again is speaking to the Pharisees.

John 8:12  Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

·        This is the second of the “I am” statements here in the Gospel of John.  Jesus is speaking from the temple, which during the Feast of Tabernacles, was illuminated with large burning menorah’s (candelabrum) commemorating the fire that guided the Israelites during the wilderness wonderings.  The pillar of fire represented God’s presence, protection, and guidance.  Jesus proclaims He is the “Light of the world” that has been sent to guide mankind to God.  Light also symbolizes one being illuminated in understanding.  Jesus came to open our understanding to who He is and why He has come.  We are no longer wondering in darkness, we know who we are following and where we are going.

 

John 8:13-18 Therefore the Pharisees said to Him, ‘You bear record concerning yourself; your witness is not true.”  (14)  Jesus answered and said to them, “Though I bear record concerning Myself, My witness is true. For I know from where I came, and where I go. But you do not know from where I came, and where I go.  (15)  You judge after the flesh, I judge no one.  (16)  And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me.  (17)  It is also written in your Law that the testimony of two men is true.  (18) I am one who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness concerning Me.”

·        The Law required multiple witnesses to the truth, but that does not mean a single testimony was necessarily false.  In chapter 5, Jesus proclaimed that John the Baptist, the scriptures, His works, and His Heavenly Father bore witness of Him.  Here He only mentions His Father.

·        Notice He states in verse 17 that is “written in your Law.”  He is beginning to distance Himself from the Mosaic Law as He has come to replace it by fulfilling it.

 

John 8:19-20  Then they said to Him, “Where is your father?” Jesus said to them, “You neither know Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”  (20)  Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as He taught in the temple. And no man laid hands upon Him, for His hour had not yet come.

·        The Pharisees continue to look on the physical realm and ignore the spiritual.  They did not recognize the Son because they did not know the Father.  Though they were religious, they were not spiritual.  This begins a long debate as the Pharisees continue to question everything Jesus says.

 

 

John 8:21-24 Then Jesus said again to them, “I go away, and you shall seek Me and shall die in your sins. Where I go, you cannot come.”  (22)  Then the Jews said, “Will he kill himself? Because he says, “Where I go you cannot come.”  (23)  And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.  (24)  Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.”

·        This is the 3^rd time Jesus speaks of His coming departure.  The Jews wondered if He would take His own life, when actually He would not take His life but GIVE it away for our sins.

·        The Jews also continue view things from the earthly view, not from God’s heavenly perspective.  Because they do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and the only route to which we can reach God; they will die in their sins without the life giving forgiveness Jesus offers.  It is a choice we must make.

 

John 8:25-30 Then they said to Him, “Who are you?” And Jesus said to them, ‘Even the same which I also say to you.  (26) I have many things to say and to judge of you, but He who sent Me is true, and I speak to the world those things what I heard of Him.”  (27)  They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.  (28)  Then Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you shall know that I AM, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father has taught Me, I speak these things.  (29)  And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things which please Him.”  (30)  As He spoke these words, many believed upon Him.

·        Jesus pleads with them that he speaks the truth and this truth has come from God Himself.  He then prophesies that when He is “lifted up” upon the cross, then they will know Him as I AM and recognize His deity.  He also points to His sinless life as He says; “I always do those things which please Him.”  With these words many genuinely believed Him to be the Christ.

 

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, “If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.  (32)  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

·        Salvation comes by faith alone, but being a true disciple means that we make effort to follow Jesus’ example with our life.  If continue to live our life to seek Him with our whole heart, mind, body and soul we will be exposed to a whole new level of truth.  That truth is the understanding that Jesus has paid the full price for our sins and we now have the freedom to serve Him in a personal and loving relationship.  We are no longer live under the bondage of the Law and works.  We are free to serve with our heart freed from the burden and penalty of sin.

 

John 8:33-38 They answered Him, “We are Abraham's seed and were never in bondage to anyone. How do you say, You will be made free?”  (34)  Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin.  (35)  And the slave does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever.  (36)  Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.  (37)  I know that you are Abraham's seed, but you seek to kill Me because My Word has no place in you.  (38) I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you, then, do what you have seen with your father.”

·        The Pharisees argue that they have never been in bondage apparently forgetting their time in Egypt as well as now being under the rule of a massive Roman Empire.  Jesus however, speaking on the spiritual, reveals that it is sin that enslaves us.  Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions.  Jesus frees us from that slavery and bondage allowing us to become the person God created us to be.  Jesus is our “chain breaker.”

 

John 8:39-47  They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus answered them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.  (40)  But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth which I have heard beside God; this Abraham did not do.  (41)  You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We are not born of fornication; we have one father, even God.”  (42)  Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love Me, for I went forth and came from God; for I did not come of Myself, but He sent Me.  (43)  Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are unable to listen to My Word.  (44)  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.  (45)  And because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me.  (46)  Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe Me?  (47)  He who is of God hears God's Words. Therefore you do not hear them because you are not of God.”

·        Jesus spells out very clearly that these religious leaders were imitating the acts of their father; the devil himself.  He gives a very clear definition of Satan’s character in that he is a murderer and liar and the father of all lies.  He is also an enemy of the truth.

 

John 8:48-59  Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say well that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”  (49)  Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.  (50)  And I do not seek My own glory, but there is One who seeks and judges.  (51) Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keeps My Word, he shall never see death.”  (52)  Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets are dead, and you say, If a man keeps my Word, he shall never taste of death.”  (53)  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets are dead; whom do you make yourself?”  (54)  Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say that He is your God.  (55)  Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I should say I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I know Him and I keep His Word.  (56)  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and He saw and was glad.”  (57)  Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”  (58)  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came into being, I AM!”  (59)  Then they took up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus hid Himself and went forth out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and passed on by.

·        Verse 58 is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus.  By saying He existed before Abraham, He is proclaiming His divinity.  He also added an exclamation point in applying the name of God; “I AM.”  This demanded a response and He got one as the Jews sought to stone Him there and then, Jesus simply walks away unharmed.

·        We can see the tension that leads the Jewish leaders to crucify Jesus building.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us as children to Yourself and freeing us from the slavery of sin.